A seventeen-year-old female student of Imo State University IMSU Owerri, Imo State Miss Jesse Chidiebere has been arrested by the police for faking her kidnap and death.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Henry Okoye disclosed this on Monday October 28, 2024 in a statement.
According to the PPRO, the police had received a distress call on Saturday October 26, 2024 at about 10:00 PM from concerned citizens who reported that Jesse Chidiebere was missing.
The police spokesman further disclosed that a message which was sent from her WhatsApp account indicated that she had been abducted and killed.
ASP Okoye said the message urged her family members to proceed to the Police Station at Orji near Owerri for confirmation.
The police spokesman said the police thereafter launched a search which found out that Jesse Chidiebere was not kidnapped and was alive and well.
The PPRO also said that the police discovered to their chagrin that she had fabricated the story of her abduction and death as a prank.
He added that investigation was ongoing to establish her real motive at pulling such a costly prank which devastated her family members and loved ones.
The statement reads; "The Orji Police Divisional Headquarters have arrested Jesse Chidebere ‘f’, 17yrs, a student of the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, for faking her own abduction and death.
"This hoax caused significant distress to her family and the university community.
"On October 26, 2024, at approximately 10:00pm, police received a distress call from concerned citizens reporting Chidebere missing.
"A message sent from her WhatsApp account claimed she had been abducted and killed, urging her family to go to the Orji Police Station for confirmation.
"In response, police operatives launched a search and discovered the following morning, October 27, 2024, that Chidebere was alive and had fabricated the story as a prank on social media.
"An investigation is ongoing to ascertain her motives for such mischief and would certainly face prosecution.
"Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has expressed concern over such irresponsible behaviour, which wastes valuable resources and causes public panic.
"He urges parents to caution their children against engaging in dangerous pranks and spreading misinformation.
"The Command remains committed to combating misinformation and ensuring a safe environment for all and sundry in the State".
